"Hear, hear! Well played, indeed, Mrs Olliver! Pity Meredith couldn't
have heard that."

Olliver laid a heavy hand on Desmond's shoulder.

"Tell you what, old chap," he said. "You must come back with us; and,
by Jove, we'll make a night of it. Finest possible thing for you after
a week's moping on the sick list; and we'll just keep Mackay hanging
round in case you get knocked out of shape. I'll slip into uniform
myself and follow on. That suit you, Colonel?"

"Down to the ground; if Mackay has no objection."

But Mackay knew his men too well to have anything of the sort; and
Desmond's eyes gleamed.

"How about uniform for me, sir?" he asked. "I could manage it after a
fashion."

Colonel Buchanan smiled.

"No doubt you could! But I'll overlook it to-night. The fellows want
you. Won't do to keep them waiting!"

Followed a babel of talk and laughter, in the midst of which Honor,
who had moved a little apart, became aware that Desmond was at her
side.

"Never mind them, Honor," he said in a low voice. "They mean it very
well, and they don't realise that it's a little overwhelming for us
both. I won't pile it on by saying any more on my own account. _Wait_
till I get a chance to repay you in kind--that's all!"

His words spurred her to a sudden resolve.

"You have the chance now, if it doesn't seem like taking a mean
advantage of--things."

"Mean advantages are not in your line. You've only to say the word."

"Then _stick to the Frontier_!" she answered, an imperative ring in
her low voice. "Doesn't to-night convince you that you've no right to
leave them all?"

His face grew suddenly grave.

"The only right is to stand by Ladybird--at all costs."

"Yes, yes--I know. But remember what I said about her side of it. Give
her the chance to find herself, Theo; and give _me_ your word now to
think no more about leaving the Border. Will you?"

He did not answer at once, nor did he remove his eyes from her face.

"Do you care so much what I do with the rest of my life?" he said at
last very quietly.

"Yes--I do; for Ladybird's sake."

"I see. Well, there's no denying your privilege--now to have some
voice in the matter. I give you my word, and if it turns out a
mistake, the blame be on my own head. The fellows are making a move
now. I must go. Good-night."

The men departed accordingly with much clatter of footsteps and
jingling of spurs; and only Mrs Olliver remained behind.

Evelyn Desmond had succee